Fire Officials: Wildfire Threat Increases in Napa

The recent sunshine and warm weather are a welcome development, following the long months of rain and biting winds.

However, summer weather also brings the threat of wildland fires.

The city and county fire departments are urging homeowners to clear a defensible space around their homes and outbuildings to decrease the chances that a wildland fire may wind up destroying property.

The 2011 fire season officially opened Monday, according to Napa County Fire Chief Tim Streblow.

Streblow said the wildland fires we normally see in the later summer could be early this year due to increased growth of high grasses, scrub oaks and other vegetation following the heavy and prolonged rains.

Fire officials urge homeowners to clear vegetation from around their homes to create defensible space.

“It could be the difference between losing or saving your home in the event of wildland fire,” Streblow said.

Even inside Napa city limits, there are areas surrounded by wildland-fire fuels capable of igniting and threatening homes, said Napa Fire Capt. Scott Sedgley.

Montecito, Westwood Hills and Timber Hills are among the city neighborhoods at risk.

“Firefighters will be going door-to-door next week in the Montecito area passing out information on protecting homes and property during the fire season," Sedgley said.

In addition to clearing space around buildings, fire officials also urge property owners to clear combustible items, such as propane tanks, gas cans and wood piles, from around structures.

Those living in the county are mandated to clear a 100-foot area around their homes, CalFire Marshal Pete Munoa said.

The county has a defensible space ordinance allowing those who don’t comply to be issued citations ranging from $200 to $1,000, Munoa said.

“Property owners will be notified and given 10 days to clear their property,” he said.

If they don’t comply, CalFire will send a private contractor to clear the property at the expense of the owner, Munoa said.

CalFire offers tips to property owners including:

• Remove all dead plants, grasses and weeds.

• Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles from yard, roof and rain gutters.

• Remove branches hanging over the roofs.

• Relocate wood piles.

• Check with the local fire department before burning outside.

For more information, contact Napa fire prevention at (707) 257-9590 and CalFire at (707) 967-1419.